Former President Moon Visits Lee Jae-myung
"Must Fight Long"... Urges to Stop Fasting
"Ask Those Around to Stop Fasting" Requested
Former President Moon Jae-in visited Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is hospitalized on the 19th, and advised him to stop his hunger strike, saying, "It is a time when you need to quickly regain your strength and fight."
Former President Moon Jae-in visited Green Hospital in Jungnang-gu, Seoul on the 19th to meet Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is currently hospitalized. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the afternoon of the same day, former President Moon visited the Green Hospital in Jungnang-gu, Seoul, where Lee is hospitalized, and stayed with him for about 20 minutes. Lee was transferred to a hospital near the National Assembly due to a deterioration in his condition on the 19th day of his hunger strike and was then moved to Green Hospital in Jungnang-gu, Seoul.
Guided by Cheon Jun-ho, chief secretary to the party leader of the Democratic Party, Seo Young-kyo, Supreme Council member, former floor leader Park Hong-geun, and lawmaker Yoon Gun-young, former President Moon moved to the hospital room and held Lee’s hand to comfort him.
Former President Moon shared his own experience of fasting in 2014 to urge the enactment of the Sewol ferry special law, saying, "When I fasted for ten days, it was difficult, so I can only imagine how hard it must be after 20 days."
He continued, "You have shown enough determination in your hunger strike, and you need to fight for a long time," emphasizing, "The situation has changed, so it is a time when you need to quickly regain your strength and fight."
He added, "Now, Lee is not alone; many people are suffering together, feeling sorrow, and hoping for you to stand up again. Always keep that in mind."
Former President Moon asked Chief Secretary Cheon and the hospital director about Lee’s condition and said, "At times like this, those around him should make him stop the hunger strike."
In response, Lee only said, "I understand well," and did not say that he would stop the hunger strike, Han Min-soo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, told reporters in front of the hospital.
Lee reportedly said, "It felt like the world was falling apart and like an endless abyss, so I had no choice but to fast. I am sorry to have caused you to take such steps."
Meanwhile, coinciding with former President Moon’s hospital visit, a citizen who appeared to be a supporter of Lee held a placard and shouted slogans such as "Expel Moon Jae-in." In response, the Democratic Party revealed in a message sent to reporters that Lee strongly criticized such behavior.
Lee said, "Former President Moon is a great elder of the party," and pointed out, "Now is the time for the Democratic Party to unite as one and fight the enemy, and he plays a role like a compass. How can someone who supports the Democratic Party criticize him?"
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
